Protest against the Digital Economy Bill grows apace!

Campaigners from the Open Rights Group have joined forces with campaigns group 38 Degrees, to protest against the Digital Economy Bill. Over 10,000 individuals have signed up to demand a full and open debate on the Bill which they maintain is poorly drafted and could be rushed through Parliament without proper consideration in the "wash up "period before the end of the current Session.

Campaigners claim that the Bill will allow the courts to order users to be disconnected, block legitimate websites and even cut off access to providers such as schools and libraries if it can be shown that users of those services infringe copyright or engage in other illegal activity over their network.

A protest is due to take place today opposite the Houses of Parliament with participants being encouraged to gag or blindfold themselves to symbolise the disconnection and censorship they believe will ensue if the Bill is passed by Parliament.